What is Softened Butter?
Softened butter is butter that has been left at room temperature for a period of time, allowing it to become pliable and easy to work with. The ideal softness of butter depends on the recipe and the desired consistency.
- For baking, softened butter should be at room temperature, around 72°F to 76°F (22°C to 24°C).
- For cooking, softened butter can be slightly firmer, but still easy to spread.
How to Soften Butter
There are several ways to soften butter, including:
- Leaving it at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Microwaving it for 10-15 seconds.
- Using a butter softener or electric mixer.